"Very well. Shall we talk about more inane things then? Something you do want to talk about?"
"If you wish."
His evasiveness grated. So much so that all I could think about was digging further to find some answers. "You were very fast over there."
"I thought we were going to talk about dull things."
"You're assuming I find you interesting."
I thought I heard him chuckle, but there was no sign of amusement on his face. "You wound me, Violet."
"Somehow I doubt that." I couldn't help laughing. I certainly did not find him dull, and he knew it. That didn't mean I was going to let him distract me from my mission. "Where did you learn to be so fast? And how did you learn to swim? Was it before or after you came to live here?"
"It's something I've always known how to do. I was never taught."
Never taught? Surely swimming was a difficult activity to master. Unless he were a fish, how could he possibly just 'know how' to do it? "Like the fire starting," I muttered.
He stopped. Looked at me. "You may be onto something. Perhaps they're linked. I never considered it before. Can you swim?"
"I've never tried."
"Perhaps you should."
"Jack, I am not going into the lake."
Crinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes. "Pity." He glanced up at the top floor of the house, and I followed his gaze. I expected to see Langley looking down at us, but instead it was Bollard's emotionless face that peered from the window. "I need to see August about something," Jack said. "I'll see you later."
"You're not going to suggest to him that I go swimming I hope. Because if you do, I shall have to break our agreement and escape."
"Come now. Where's that spirit I've witnessed countless times?"
"Hiding from you and your schemes."
"I wouldn't let you drown." His eyes danced merrily. "Perhaps only a dunking or two. I do owe you after you gave me a reticule full of vomit."
"The vomit and the scratches on your hands are nothing compared to what I'll do if you suggest I go swimming in the lake."
"Don't worry. As amusing as it would be to see you swimming, what I have in mind is much more interesting."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Let me speak to my uncle first." He nodded at the parlor window on the first floor. Sylvia glared at us, her arms crossed, her fingers tapping on her sleeve. "You'd better go inside and receive your lecture."
"My lecture! You're the half-naked wet one. I'm an innocent who's led a sheltered life, remember?" I turned to go into the house, but not before I saw something that sent a thrill of tingles down my spine. Jack actually grinned.
Jack didn't join us until after luncheon. He'd been gone a long time considering all he had to do was change and speak to his uncle. Perhaps they were arguing again. Sylvia must have had the same thought because she kept glancing at the door then frowning when nobody walked through it. Her concerns didn't stop her tongue, however. She chatted the entire time, gossiping about neighbors I'd not yet met.
We were both relieved when Jack finally came into the parlor.
"Well?" Sylvia said before he'd taken two steps inside. "Why did you need to speak to Uncle August?"
"I see you've been talking about me again."
Sylvia clicked her tongue. "Honestly, Jack, you're not that interesting."
He pressed a hand to his heart. "You wound me, dear cousin." He seemed in very good spirits, the best I'd seen him in since my arrival at Frakingham.
Sylvia must have noticed it too because she eyed him warily. "Surely you've not just come from Uncle's rooms. You're much too cheerful."
"I was with August for only a few minutes, then I went to see Olson in the stables."
"You've been in the stables the entire time?" I asked.
"I like to help out with the horses on occasion."
Sylvia sniffed. "I think it's cruel not to come here immediately when you've got news you knew we'd be waiting to hear."
"How do you know it's something for your ears? It could be nothing to do with either of you."
"Just tell us!"
He held up his hands. "Very well. We're going to London."
I don't know who gasped loudest, Sylvia or me. She certainly recovered from the shock first. "London? All three of us?"
"Yes."
"And Uncle has agreed?" Her gaze slid to me then away again.
"Yes."
"He trusts I won't try to escape?" I asked. It was quite unbelievable. There had to be something else he wasn't telling us.
"We have an agreement, Violet. I've assured him you'll keep your word and not try to escape. You've proved that already when you came to the lake."
"Her behavior was perfect," Sylvia agreed. "Unlike yours, Cousin. Did you have to parade about like that? It was terribly vulgar."
"So why are we three going to London at all?" I asked to diffuse their argument. "Does it have something to do with my training?"
He nodded. "You're going to see a hypnotist."
"A hypnotist!" Sylvia cried.
"Whatever for?" I asked.
"I think something is blocking your talent. A barrier of some sort, mental not physical. I have a theory that if we remove the barrier, you'll have better access to the fire within you, and better access will mean you can summon it at will. Or dampen it, if need be."
"Can a hypnotist remove the blockage?"
"I hope so. We won't know until he looks at you. August knows of a fellow in London and agreed it's a good idea for you to see him. He's given me a letter of introduction, and we'll leave early tomorrow morning. We'll be in London by late afternoon and can see him the following day."
"Do you think the appointment will take long?" Sylvia asked.
"Why?"
"We simply must go shopping. I'm not traveling all that way and not visiting Oxford Street."
Jack's eyes softened. "We'll certainly have time for shopping. Indeed, I can hardly wait. I live to carry your purchases up and down Oxford Street."
"Don't be silly. Tommy can carry the boxes to the carriage. You won't need to do a thing except pay. Just think—we're going to London. How thrilling."
"I've read about it," I said. "It's seems like an exciting place."
"Exciting is not a word I choose to associate with London," Jack muttered, his good humor having slipped away.
Sylvia sucked in her top lip. "No, of course you wouldn't."
I lifted my brow in inquiry, but either she didn't notice or chose to ignore me. "You've been to London before?" I asked Jack.
He hesitated then said, "Yes."
"Many times?"
"Yes. Violet, would you care to go riding with me this afternoon?"
It took me a moment to follow the abrupt shift in conversation. I wanted to ask him more about London, but he seemed to want to avoid a discussion on the subject. "Riding? On a horse?"
"That's usually how riding is done."
"But I've never been on a horse before." To tell the truth, I was a little frightened of the creatures.
"Then it's about time you learned."
"Wait a moment," said Sylvia, holding up a hand. "I'll have to come. To chaperone," she added when both Jack and I stared at her. "You shouldn't be alone together."
"For God's sake, Syl. I've been alone with her all morning in a room with the door closed and then again down at the lake."
"That was different. The room was work, and I didn't know you were at the lake. If I had, I would've escorted her. You can't go gallivanting around the estate together where anybody could see. I won't allow it, and I doubt Uncle would either."
"I'm not sure August cares one way or another."
"He should. If he wants to fit in with Society then he must follow the rules."